The legal team representing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has initiated legal action against the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
The move follows allegations that Bichi has disobeyed a court order issued by the Federal High Court.
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The lawyers accuse the DSS, of failing to comply with a mandate from Justice B.F.M. Nyako.
The order, issued on May 20, directed the DSS to provide Kanu’s lawyers with a suitable facility to prepare his defense in the case numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.
Justice Nyako, while rejecting Kanu’s bail application and his request for transfer to a Nigerian Custodial Centre, ordered the DSS to ensure Kanu had access to a secure and clean room for defense preparations.
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The court stipulated that Kanu’s legal team should not exceed five members.
The court’s ruling explicitly stated: “An order is hereby made varying the condition of visitation to him in custody to 3 days a week. He is to be given a safe and ‘clean’ room at the present facility to prepare for his defense with his team of counsel not exceeding 5 in number. They should be allowed such facility that is required for the preparation of his defense and be allowed to take notes.”
Despite this directive, the DSS has allegedly failed to comply, prompting Kanu’s legal team to pursue committal proceedings against Bichi.
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The court, through a Form 48 Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to the order, warned Bichi of the potential for imprisonment if found guilty of contempt of court.
This notice, filed on May 31, 2024, serves as a formal warning of the serious repercussions of defying the court’s order.
The notice read: “TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directives contained in this Order overleaf (by complying with the directives contained at paragraphs 2 & 3 of the said order), you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
